notebook: d.j. mitchell’s big finish

Bourne’s D.J. Mitchell struck out 15 in eight shutout innings Friday night, tying Brett Jacobson’s mark for most strikeouts in a game this year. It’s part of a really strong stretch for Mitchell, who wasn’t an all-star but is pitching like one now.

His last three starts:

July 20 – 5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 2 BB
July 26 – 8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 11 K, 0 BB
August 3 – 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 15 K, 3 BB

That’s 31 strikeouts and five walks in 21 innings. Before these last three starts, Mitchell had struck out 27 and walked 18 so he’s turned his strikeout to walk ratio completely upside down and with the 15 K night, he’s vaulted into the league lead in strikeouts. Mitchell’s ERA is 1.47, good for fourth in the league.

Mitchell, who will be a junior at Clemson, also plays in the outfield, but if the last few weeks are any indication, his future may be on the mound.

Anonymous relievers

Relievers never draw as much attention as starters, at any level. In a way, that’s more pronounced on the Cape, where a fairly short season and deep pitching staffs mean relievers — even the best ones — might not get more than 20 or 25 innings.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t quality in the bullpens. And I’m not talking closers — there are really only 10 of those guys on the Cape anyway. Plenty of guys who have been starters in college and may project as starters in the pros pitch in relatively small roles out of the bullpen on the Cape, in some cases to rest their arms a bit. Aaron Crow, for instance, who has been the top starting pitcher in the league this summer, was originally planning on working out of the bullpen. Tim Lincecum, a top draft pick in ’06 who is already up with the Giants, was Harwich’s closer in 2005.

The other guys who have been relievers and will stay relievers often have great arms, too. Brandon Morrow, for instance, was a Cape leaguer in ’05 who pitched out of the pen and flashed a high-90s fastball. He’s now with the Seattle Mariners. This year, Ryan Perry, who works in a non-closing relief role for Orleans, projects as one of the top prospects in the league.

So there’s definitely talent in the relief corps — and the stage is set for them to succeed. Throwing an inning or two, as hard as they can, against hitters who are constantly adjusting to wood, creates an environments where relievers can thrive, even moreso than starters.

Plenty of them thrive. Here’s a look at some of the numbers of the top relievers this summer.

A few things of note:

• It’s no surprise that the guys at the top of this list have great strikeout-to-walk ratios. That’s definitely a key in short outings.
• Shinaberry is the leader in appearances with Atwood posting the most innings pitched.
• Catapano hasn’t even allowed an unearned run
• Orleans’ bullpen is pretty nasty . . . Y-D’s, interestingly, is not, which could be interesting come playoff time
• A few of these guys have made spot starts, and it appears Y-D’s Holder may be moving to the rotation for the postseason

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